Excellence - Jamaica Information Service

“Jamaican Youth,
Embracing Support"
Excellence
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“Jamaican Youth,
Embracing Support"
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Emancipation Park
THE PRIME MINISTER’S YOUTH AWARDS FOR
EXCELLENCE
The Prime Minister’s Youth Awards for Excellence is the highest
honour bestowed upon Jamaicans between the ages of 15 and 24.
Since 1998, this National Honour has been conferred upon young
Jamaicans who have achieved eminent National and International
distinction in the categories of:
Sports
Youth in Service
The Arts and Culture
Academics
Agriculture
Leadership
Journalism
Entrepreneurship
MINISTRY OF
YOUTH, SPORTS AND CULTURE
“Jamaican Youth,
Embracing Support"
The Prime Minister Youth
Organisation Service Award
Produced by: The National Centre for Youth Development through
the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture
30
Notes
- Message The Prime Minister’s Youth Awards for
Excellence affords the ideal opportunity
to bring to the fore, the sterling achievements of our young people – achievements that may have gone unnoticed,
without the rightful recognition. This occasion therefore, places our achievers in
the ‘spotlight’ allowing them to be shining examples for others to emulate.
In today’s society,
grappling with a
lenges – challenges
never confronted at
development.
our youths are
myriad of chalthat many of us
that stage of our
Rampant indiscipline and escalating levels of crime and violence,
within our nation’s schools, have caused grave concern for many of
us. Regrettably, such actions are not confined within the boundaries
of the school walls, but extend beyond, into the wider society. These
problems with which we wrestle, are merely symptoms of a much
wider problem – a general breakdown in family life and a blatant disregard for law and order in the society.
Amidst these pervasive problems, our young achievers, some from
backgrounds that many believe would have condemned them to a
life of failure, have survived the odds and claimed victory. Your journey to success can be a ‘blueprint’ for other young people to copy.
I encourage you to share your story – be that source of inspiration and
that ‘light’ that guides your peers down the same road to success.
Your success carries with it, a great deal of responsibility – the
responsibility to be a mentor, leader and to consistently perform at
the highest level. I urge you to embrace that responsibility – do not
‘shy’ away from it. I further implore you to slam the ‘door’ shut on
mediocrity – there is no room at the ‘inn’ for it. The current highly
competitive global marketplace, no longer caters to ‘snail-paced’
economies or individuals. It demands that we perform at our best
and be on top of our game; or risk being left behind and outpaced
by our competitors. Your current accomplishments represent only the
beginning – do not rest on your laurels, there is so much more that
you can achieve – keep that ‘goal’ post moving!
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You stand here today, offering that great promise of hope for the future – hope that had left the hearts of many. It is said that the future
lies in the hands of our young people – but that responsibility for the
future cannot rest solely on their ‘shoulders’. All critical stakeholders – Government, schools, churches, families, communities and the
private sector, must share in that responsibility and ‘shoulder’ some
of it – much will be achieved through collaboration and cooperation
– not isolation! We must create that enabling environment, that will
produce more young achievers for the future.
Notes
Nothing gives me greater pleasure, than to honour and laud the successes of our young people. Your hard work, perseverance, determination and vision, have allowed you to enjoy these great rewards. I
urge you to continue sowing these ‘seeds’ as an even greater harvest
will be yours to reap in the future.
The Hon. Bruce Golding, MP
Prime Minister
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- Message NATIONAL CENTRE FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
MINISTRY OF
YOUTH, SPORTS AND CULTURE
The National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD) as the
Youth Division of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is responsible for facilitating the cooperation and integration of
programmes, services and activities geared towards youth development. This includes designing and recommending programmes
which enhance and propel the holistic development of Jamaica’s
youth, thus fulfilling the goals of the National Youth Policy (drafted
in 2004).
The Mission
To provide leadership for positive Youth Development through
partnership with stakeholders in research, policy development, advocacy, information dissemination and monitoring with a belief in youth
inclusion, rewarding excellence and passion in service for Jamaica’s
youth.
The Vision
An independent dynamic youth-centric organisation fulfilling the
needs of Jamaica’s youth, empowering them to attain their maximum
potential where love of self, country and fellow man is customary,
thus creating a solid foundation for the country’s future.
The Primary Functions of the Centre are:
• Policy Formulation and Strategy Planning
• Programme Development and Management
• Multi Sectoral Coordination
• Research
• Information Dissemination
• Monitoring and Evaluation
Programme Activities include:
• Operation Phoenix (Youth Information Centres and Youth
Empowerment Officers) in each parish
• Student Governance (National Secondary Students Council)
• Jamaica Youth Ambassador Programme (JAYAP)
• Jamaica Union of Tertiary Students (JUTS)
• National Youth Council
• Annual Youth Month Activities
27
Today we are honoured to salute the
stand-out achievement of several young
Jamaicans who have excelled in various
fields of endeavour, with the Prime Minister’s Youth Awards for Excellence.
Many young people across the nation
continue to make a significant positive
impact on national life. I am honoured to
acknowledge your efforts. I congratulate
each and every nominee and encourage
you to continue being outstanding young
citizens, giving your exceptional service
to our country. I am sure your individual
family and support groups are very proud
of your achievements and have played a major part in moulding you
to be the outstanding persons you are today. This, no doubt, will
ensure better men and women for Jamaica’s future.
During November, we celebrated Youth Month and focused special attention on our young people. It was heart-warming to see and
highlight the many achievements of our young people, knowing that
despite obstacles they were excelling and only need gentle nudges
from time to time to show their greatness. The fact is, we have talented, bright, enthusiastic young people in Jamaica who are doing
fantastic things.
In my capacity as Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, I call on all
Jamaicans to give even greater support to our young people as they
strive to be healthy, safe, educated, to be more responsible, to make
valuable contributions to their communities and to enjoy a good
quality of life. In short, we must allow them to enjoy their youth as
they prepare to become our nation’s leaders. I urge each and every
one of us to commit to making at least one young person discover
themselves and learn to shine.
Our youth need our guidance. Let us not fail them, instead let us give
them our support and watch them become outstanding citizens of
our nation.
Hon. Olivia Grange, MP
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture
4
- Message -
The prowess, intellect, commitment and
vision of our youth is inspiring a new
Jamaica. Emboldened by their mastery
of technology, sports, and access to
learning; unbridled by misgivings about
the future; empowered by their willingness to take risks, they lead the way in the
advancement of our island nation from a
developing state into a developed one.
The halls of our Financial Institutions,
Academia, Government, Agriculture,
Manufacturing and the Creative Industries are now filled with young professionals who are making indelible marks
on their chosen fields. The continued
exemplary performance of our sportsmen and women stands as the
beacon from which we all can draw inspiration.
There is much to celebrate this year.
We recognise that the achievements of our youth are enhanced by
the support systems that are around them. Those who fail, often
do so because of a lack of guidance or help when they needed it
most. This is the thinking that brought us to our theme for this year,
‘Jamaican Youth, Embracing Support’. This our marquis event, the
Prime Minister’s Youth Awards for Excellence, takes the theme a step
further to promote and celebrate the primary support unit that is the
family. It is our hope that it will serve to stimulate reflection, and spur
us to action, in the promulgation and protection of this vital building
block of our society, and principal agency on which our youth depend
for their survival.
Allow me to use the opportunity to congratulate all the nominees
and awardees, and to encourage them to use this opportunity to
inspire and encourage others of their peers to reach out for greatness
in their fields of pursuit, remembering always this quote by American
baseball great Buck Rodgers, “there are countless ways of attaining
greatness, but any road to reaching one’s maximum potential must
be built on a bedrock of respect for the individual, a commitment to
excellence, and a rejection of mediocrity.”
PRIME MINSTER’S YOUTH AWARDS
FOR EXCELLENCE
SELECTION COMMITTEE 2009
Mrs. Roberta Brown Ellis
Miss Andrene Blackwin Mr. Nyron Morris Mr. Peter Jones Mr. Collin Virgo
Mrs. Lois Grant Mr. David Mais
Mr. Lloyd Pommells
Miss Keneshia Nooks
Mrs. Sana Rose Savage
Mr. Hewitt Walker
Rev. Herro Blair Jnr.
Mr. Dwayne Gutzmer
Mr. Cecil Warren
Mrs. Gwyneth Davidson
National Centre for
Youth Development
National Centre for
Youth Development
National Centre for
Youth Development
Office of the Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Sports Development Foundation
Social Development Commission
Jamaica Cultural
Development Commission
Jamaica Cultural
Development Commission
National Youth Service
Jamaica Youth for Christ
Jamaica Youth Ambassador
Independence Park Limited
Office of the Prime Minister
It’s the yuletide season; accept the best wishes of the youth
department, from our family to yours.
Senator Warren Newby
Parliamentary Secretary
National Centre for Youth Development
Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture
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2003
Noelle Bennett
Omari Blake Dionne Brown
Jason Carnegie
Sabrena McDonald
Anna Strachan Shawna-Kaye Lester Junior Rose - Academics
- Academics
- Academics
- Academics
- The Arts
- The Arts
- Journalism
- Leadership
2002
Farrah Brown
Wayne Brown
Tamara Noel
Richard Forbes Jr.
Leighton Davis
Usain Bolt
- Academics
- The Arts
- The Arts
- Entrepreneurship
- Journalism
- Sports
2001
Belinda Morrison
Stephen Anthony
Shaw-Naar
Christopher
Henry Gayle Melaine Walker
- Academics
- The Arts
- Sports
- Sports
2000
Neil Hanchard
Subira Gordon
Veronica Campbell - Academics
- The Arts
- Sports
1999
Yeshima Bennette
Janelle Atkinson
Kacey Shay
- Scholarship
- Sports
- Visual Arts
1998
Jody- Ann Maxwell Tanya Clarke
Lawson Crawford Ricardo Gardener
- International Achievement
- Scholarship
- Scholarship
- Sports
- Message -
As a nation we are seeing a large number of our young people transition into
women and men of greatness from all
walks of life, continuously making us
proud on the local and international
scene.
To all young Jamaicans, the spotlight
is on you and it is your time to radiate
the brilliance, resilience and excellence
that is within you. This illumination will
dispel the darkness around you and
give a renewed sense of hope to other
youths like yourself who are challenged,
incarcerated and alone. You must believe that this brilliance comes from you and from the support structures around you, and you must believe that you have the courage
to create action from your brilliance. For as we believe in you and
as you believe in yourselves, others will see and believe in you too.
From that moment, the youth you encounter will begin to believe in
themselves as well… and, together, you will be the creators of great
change within yourselves, your families, our communities, our nation,
and the world.
For in that brilliance in you is knowledge and from that knowledge
is an awareness that there is something that binds us all together, a
bridge that connects each and every one of us to each other so that
we are not ever alone, or without hope, but know assuredly that there
is support.
Let us remember the words of Zig Ziglar, “If you don’t like who you
are and where you are, don’t worry about it because you’re not stuck
either with who you are or where you are. You can grow. You can
change. You can be more than you are.”
I challenge all youths to embrace the opportunities and support systems that are available to you. Be determined to accomplish and surpass the heights of great young men and women like the ones being
awarded here tonight.
Congratulations to all our nominees. Your outstanding service and
contribution to the development of yourself, your community and the
nation is being recorded in the annals of time, it will not be forgotten.
May God bless you all.
Roberta Brown Ellis
Director, Youth Policy and Programme Development
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6
Prime Minister’s Youth Award
A C A D E M I C S
N
O
M
I
N
E
E
S
KERRI–ANN ALLEN
A past student of the Manchester High
School, Kerri–Ann Allen is now pursuing a
career in the field of Law at the University
of the West Indies. However, from an early
age, Kerri-Ann has distinguished herself in
the field of Academics.
Ms Allen received the Certificate of Excellence from forms 1-5. In the years 2006 and
2007 she received 12 subjects with distinctions in the CXC CSEC examinations. She
also achieved 4 subjects with distinctions in
the CXC CAPE exams in sixth form.
While at Manchester High, Kerri–Ann held numerous positions of
leadership; at the end of fifth form she graduated Valedictorian of
the class of 2007.
She is also an active member of her community and recently completed 62 hours of community service at the Mandeville Regional
Hospital.
ZURIE JOHNSON
Zurie Johnson is a 22 year old graduate of
the University of the West Indies and hails
from the remote community of Thicketts,
St. Ann.
He was Valedictorian for the University of
the West Indies graduating class of 2008.
He received a first class degree in Media
and Communication and was one of three
male recipients of a first class honours
degree for the faculty of Humanities and
Education.
He was awarded for outstanding contribution to student leadership
and the development of culture on campus in 2008 by the UWI Guild
of Students. He was also awarded the Jamaica National Building Society Bursary and the Wigut Bursary.
Zurie Johnson, through his numerous accomplishments, is referred
to as a young role model in his small rural community.
7
Tivoli Dance Troupe David Tulloch
Kevin Ellis
Lawman Lynch
Dever Orgill
Luton Shelton
Orel Ewen
Amoy Henry
Mary-Ann Montague
2005
Terry-Ann Nicholson
Ramon Arscott
Nadale Downer
Vanessa Cheung
Donna Chueng
Uonie Lyn
Everaldo Creary
Clonmel Cultural
Group Romaine Carter
Cleon Green
Keron Tooma
Jaevion Nelson
Robert Lalah
Shelly-Ann Thompson
Damion Radcliffe
Simone Forbes
Sherone Simpson
Anneisha McLaughlin
Nicholas Dusard
Rushell Simmonds
2004
Parris Lyew-Ayee
Sashane McDonald
Josemar Cuffe
Vance Wilson
Jermaine Rowe
Garfield Buford
Leethan Grandison
Shian Christie
Tanto Campbell
Alfhanso Cunningham
Joel Ellis
Courtney Foster
Carrell Kerr
Ramona Williams
Lacey Morris
- Arts and Culture
- Entrepreneurship
- Journalism
- Leadership
- Sports
- Sports
- Sports
- Youth In Service
- Youth In Service
- Academics
- Academics
- Academics
- Academic
- Academics
- Arts in Culture
- Arts in Culture
- Arts in Culture
- International Achievement
- International Achievement
- International Achievement
- International Achievement
- Journalism
- Journalism
- Leadership
- Sports
- Sports
- Sports
- Sports
- Youth In Service
- Academics
- Academics
- Academics
- Agriculture
- Arts and Culture
- Journalism
- Journalism
- Leadership
- Sports
- Sports
- Sports
- Youth In Service
- Youth In Service
- Youth In Service
- Youth In Service
24
Jamaica Youth Shaping the World-Past Recipients of the Prime
Minister’s National Youth Awards for Excellence.
2008
Dwayne Berbick Michelle Thomas Nelsa English Dave Rankin Mark Foster
Noelle Nicolls
Sequoia Thomas
Gavin Powell
Karl Wilkinson
Rodean Wallace
Odale Mulgrave
Nadje Leslie
Andre Morris
Dane Campbell
Andrew Clarke
Shavi Tolan
Kevin Williams
Shamfa Peart
Romelda Aiken
Christina Solmon
Shelly-Ann Fraser
Kerron Stewart
Errol Kerr
- Journalism - Journalism
- Agriculture
- Agriculture
- Entrepreneurship
- Entrepreneurship
- Youth In Service
- Leadership
- Leadership
- Leadership
- Leadership
- Arts and Culture
- Arts and Culture
- Arts and Culture
- Arts and Culture
- Arts and Culture
- Academics
- Academics
- Sports
- Sports
- Sports
- Sports
- Sports
2007
Christopher Wilks Kevon Rhiney Rohan Hall Adishane Playfair Oneil Peart Felicia Blake Brandon Allwood
Tamian Beckford
Brandon Wilson
Stephen Williams
- Academics
- Academics
- Academics
- Agriculture
- Arts and Culture
- Entrepreneurship
Imagine Cup Advance
Developers International Achievement
- Journalism
- Leadership
-Sports
- Youth In Service
2006
Natoya Peart
Yonique Petgrave
Rochelle Morrison
Karen Tamasa
Ebony Patterson
Sheldon Shepherd - Academics
- Academics
- Academics
- Agriculture
- Arts and Culture
- Arts and Culture
23
OLIVIA KELLY ANN ROSE
At age 24, Olivia Kelly Ann Rose is a Lecturer at the Excelsior Community College
and Tutor of Psychology at the University
of the West Indies.
She is the holder of a Master of Science
degree in Psychology, a course which she
completed with distinction and she also
holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
Psychology with a minor in Spanish.
A past student of the Manchester and Westwood High Schools, Olivia completed her secondary studies with
(8) eight distinctions in the CXC and CAPE exams. During her entire
tenure at high school, Olivia was an honour role student.
Ms. Rose’s expertise in the area of Psychology and Guidance Counselling led her to serve as Sports Psychologist Intern for the UWI
Track and Field team in the year 2007-2008 academic year.
DONEIKA SIMMS
Doneika Simms successfully completed
her Master of Science degree in Urban and
Regional Planning at the University of the
West Indies, St. Agustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago, where she maintained a
3.65 Grade Point Average. Ms. Simms is
also the holder of a Bachelor of Science
degree in Geography with a minor in Philosophy.
After completing her studies, she received
a scholarship from the Canadian Bureau for
International Education to conduct research for six months at the
McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
In September 2008, she represented the Caribbean Region at the
44th Annual International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) Congress held in Dalian, China. There, she was the recipient
of the Young Professional Planner Award for having the best written
paper. This paper focused on “the Effects of Urbanisation on the
Natural Resources of Jamaica”.
8
ROCHELLE WHYNE
In 2007, Ms. Whyne was conferred with an
Associate’s degree in Business Administration from the Northern Caribbean University and in 2009, she also obtained a
Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work.
This makes her the holder of an Associate’s degree and a Bachelor’s degree at the
young age of 22.
During her tenure at the Northern Caribbean University, she received several awards
for excellence in academics and made the
Dean’s List for five consecutive years.
Rochelle was the valedictorian of her graduating class at the Rusea’s
High School where she passed 12 CXC and GCE subjects with seven
(7) distinctions.
A G R I C U L T U R E
She is a Rotarian and is very active in community service. She
is the current Chairman of Rotaract Jamaica Central and Director in charge of Professional Services for the Rotaract Club of
Mandeville.
RACKELL WILSON
Rackell Wilson is a 24-year-old nurse, who
resides in the community of Stanton Fellowship, Portland. She has given exceptional service through her job at the Port
Antonio Hospital and voluntary service in
various community-based organisations.
Through her leadership roles, she has
engaged youths in providing services to
various institutions. She also established
“Care Giving Day” at the Portland Rehabilitation Centre and has organised fund raising
activities for persons in need.
Ms. Wilson provides medical and counselling support to the vulnerable population such as the youth and disabled. She is best remembered for providing medical attention on the scene after the fatal
accident at Damn Bridge in Stanton Fellowship, Portland in December 2008. She received a Humanitarian Award from the Kiwanis Club
of Portland for her brave service.
KEVAUGHN BONNER
Kevaughn Bonner is a 17-year-old Farmer
from the parish of Clarendon. His love for
rabbits led him to set up his own Rabbit
Care Farm in 2008. He employs and manages two full-time and one part-time worker.
Along with his father, Kevaughn manages
the family farm with over 100 goats and
pigs.
He has received several awards for his work
and, in particular, his innovative design of a feeding trough using
compote materials from the home and tin cans. Such awards include
second prize at the International IICA Award for Small Scale Farming.
Kevaughn is also an active member of the Jamaica 4H Club and has
received several awards through his involvement.
9
22
A student at the University of Technology,
Kajha Escoffery is a 20-year-old upcoming actress, pursuing studies in Hospitality
and Tourism Management. She also has a
flair for the Performing Arts where she has
already distinguished herself.
Community Development is a consistent
theme in this young man’s life. In 2009, he
was the recipient of the Governor-General’s Award for Excellence for the Parish of
St. Mary.
He is the founder and the President of the
Pagge Youth for Sustainable Development, a group formed to foster greater spiritual cohesion among youth and facilitate educational
and employment opportunities for the youths of Pagge.
Along with the group, he has been able to build the capacity of
members to acquire jobs and partner with other organisations in
implementing programmes geared at fostering the wellbeing of the
elderly and the preservation of the environment.
RYAN O’NEIL SMALL
At age 19, Ryan Small has given voluntary
community service to over twenty community-based organisations in Jamaica. At
the Norman Manley High School, he succeeded in the renovation of the School’s
library at a cost of three million dollars
($3,000,000.00) and the installation of
twenty new computers. He also partnered
with service organisations to organise a
‘Meals on Wheels’ quarterly feeding programme, targeting over 200 homeless persons within the Corporate Area.
Mr. Small is now a youth volunteer in over 11 organisations including
his role as Founder and Chairman of the Kingston Youth Information
Centre Mentorship Programme.
Mr. Small was able to revamp several youth clubs and re-launch
Student Council bodies in five high schools. In 2009, he received
the award for Student Councillor of the Year, National Secondary
Students’ Council Region One.
21
She has starred in several productions such
as “Dream Girls 2009” and received the
Actor Boy Award for the production “Man
Better Man”.
She is a past student of the Ardene High School and Hydel Preparatory School. During her school career she has received the JCDC
gold and silver medals for dub poetry and mix dub.
In November 2009, Kajha won the Best Actress Award for the University of the West Indies drama production “Tallawah 2009”.
She is a former member of Ashe and Tabulex and serves as
Secretary for the Jamaican Youth Theatre.
CHRISTOPHER GORDON
Christopher Gordon is a 23-year-old
Performer. He can be referred to as a part
of a theatre elite who have been awarded
by all four national theatre competitions:
School’s Drama Festival, Tallawah Festivals
for the Caribbean Region Universities, the
Actor Boy Award and the JCDC festivals
where, over a two-year period, he received
eight (8) individual gold medals.
Christopher created, produced and hosted
the radio programme “Reggae on the Fuse”
on Fuse 105.5 FM for three years. The programme was the first of
its kind to be aired live on radio, television and the internet. It drew
listeners from around the world. He was also a Producer and Writer
for Jamaican shows and plays.
His contributions have landed him prestigious awards not only in
Jamaica but in the United States as well.
10
C U L T U R E
Sean Hylton is a 23-year-old student of the
University of Technology where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban
and Regional Planning.
A N D
KAJHA ESCOFFERY
A R T S
SEAN HYLTON
E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P
In 2009, he was chosen to be Jamaica’s representative for the Caribbean Broadcast Media AIDS Campaign and assisted in the production of commercials for the “Live Up” HIV campaign.
DANIELLA HYDE
At age 24, Daniella is currently the Manager of “Hyde Enterprise”, a business which
she started in July of this year. Through
her business she does fashion designing
and large scale production of uniforms and
professional wear for corporate clients.
She was recently selected as one of
Jamaica’s young business elite for 2009.
In addition, she received the University of
Technology 2009 Award for Entrepreneurship and was awarded the Churches Cooperative Credit Union (CCCJ) Entrepreneurship Programme Business
award.
Daniella is a past student of the University of Technology where she
pursued a Bachelor of Education degree in TVET and Computer
Studies.
She is also a past student of St. Andrew Technical High School, a
Senior Girls’ Brigade leader, and is active in community development.
These synchro swimmers are
pioneers and have excelled
even with meager resources and
little local competition to assist
in tuning their skills.
In August 2009, coach Amanda Eyre, judge Tanya March and the
Synchro Swimmers ventured off to North Carolina, USA to participate in the Pan American Junior Synchro Championship. Their performance was exemplary and generated great interest among fellow
competitors.
The Pan American Junior Championship was preceded by very good
showings in the Florida Gold Coast Synchronised Swimming International competition and the CARIFTA Swimming Championships. The
team fought hard for a third place finish at the CARIFTA Swimming
Championships.
ONEIL CLARKE
Oneil Clarke is a 21-year-old Jamaican
who is committed to youth and community
development.
He is a certified Chaplin and frequently visits and ministers to inmates at Correctional
Institutions and Homes.
Mr. Clarke is a member of committees and
organisations such as the St. Ann Parish
Development Committee and the Jamaica
Youth Advocacy Network.
He has received a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his
invaluable contribution to community development from the Social
Development Commission.
For his contribution to community development he has been invited
by the Governor-General and Ministers of Government to participate in conferences advocating youth development as an integral
and necessary aspect of national development.
Oneil Clarke is a past student of the Marcus Garvey High School and
the Runaway Bay HEART Training Institute.
11
20
S E R V I C E
In the field of Theatre Arts, he has copped
several awards and medals in various competitions such as the Caribbean School’s
Drama Fest, where he received the award
for Outstanding Acting. He also achieved
the premier award for Arts and Culture at the
UWI last year. He has been featured in over five plays and productions such as ” MANSONG”.
I N
At age 22, Randy McLaren is a second year
student at the University of the West Indies,
who has participated in, and has future ambitions to contribute to the development of
Jamaica’s theatre.
NATIONAL SYNCHRONISED
SWIMMING TEAM
(SYNCHRO SWIMMERS)
Members: Shannon March,
Tashna Smith-Edwards and
Michelle–Ann Gabbadon.
Y O U T H
RANDY MCLAREN
A 23-year-old student of the University of
the West Indies, Simone Absalom is both
an enthused Journalist and a Social Worker.
This 24-year-old’s sporting career started at
Munro College. While there, he accepted
an invitation in 1999 to play with the Under
15 National Team. In 2000, he was selected
Captain and led the team to victory against
Guyana.
In the 2003–2004 season, he received the
highest individual score for cricket and was
named Batsman of the Year in the Headley
Cup.
To date, he has the highest individual score in the Super Cup, 179
not out.
In the second test against Bangladesh in 2009 he contributed five
dismissals in a single innings and was recorded in history as the
first West Indian Wicket-keeper since Ridley Jacobs to attain this
achievement.
She has organised and produced programmes that give young people a voice
on issues that affect them.
Jamaican Economy”.
She is a Producer at Jamaica News Network
where she has produced programmes such
as the “Rise and Fall of the Banana Industry”
and the “Impact of the Spanish Hotels on the
Since working in the media, Simone has utilised her knowledge and
skills gained by soliciting donations and funding for institutions in
need. She has also organised back to school treats, a homework and
counselling programme for youth and organised the donation of
wheelchairs for the physically challenged. Simone Absalom is a past
student of the Mico Teacher’s College and Merl Grove High School.
SHERICKA WILLIAMS
GARFENE GRANDISON
The slim figured quarter-miler, aka Wire,
has consistently shown development in her
craft over the years, having been successful
at the World Junior level and the Boys’ and
Girls’ Championships.
After entering the Martin Luther King, Jr.
essay competition in 2006, Garfene was
invited by the Jamaica Observer to be a
writer for their weekly teen publication
Teenager Observer Magazine. In less than
a year, he was promoted to President of the
Magazine.
Shericka etched her name in the annals of
Jamaica’s illustrious athletics history with a
fighting display to capture the silver medal
in the women’s 400 metres at the
Games of the 29th Olympiad in the
Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing, China
on August 19, 2008, clocking a career’s best of 46.69 seconds.
Williams, with this performance, became only the sixth Jamaican to
achieve such heights. A service-driven individual, Shericka gives back
to her alma mater, St. Elizabeth Technical High School, whenever she
can and is involved in mentorship of the students there.
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In late 2008, he became a part of the directing team for a new magazine for college students both locally and abroad.
He has been involved in the planning
and execution of events geared towards youth development.
Throughout his four years in Journalism, his articles have focused on
matters including education, politics and various areas relating to
young people.
At the age of 21, Mr. Grandison is currently pursuing a Bachelor of
Science degree in Liberal Studies in Media and Philosophy at the
University of the West Indies.
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J O U R N A L I S M
SIMONE ABSALOM
CHADWICK ANTONIO KIRKPATRICK
WALTON
DONALD OLIVER
MICHELLE–ANN GABBADON
Donald Oliver is a 24-year-old radio and
television personality who has accomplished a great deal in the area of Communications.
As a 16-year-old sports woman, MichelleAnn has helped to increase the awareness
of Synchronized Swimming in Jamaica by
being one of Jamaica’s first synchronized
swimmers.
He had an early start on the “Small People’s”
programme on Love 101 and experienced
a career high point as one of the commentators during the West Indies tour of Pakistan in 2006 at the age of 21. The tour was
covered regionally on satellite radio and
internationally on the internet.
Mr. Oliver has done various feature stories on major sporting events
in addition to doing nightly reports on CVM TV.
He has also produced for both radio and television. In 2006 and
2007 he was entrusted with the overall radio production of the 2006
and 2007 “Sports Year in Review”. He is currently pursuing a degree
in Media and Communications.
ROLANDO ANGELO SMITH
This 22 year old Jamaican Journalist
believes that doing work that is socially relevant and beneficial daily and providing information that will transform lives positively
is one of the greatest rewards in life.
Mr. Rolando Smith is currently employed to
the Jamaica News Network as a Reporter,
Presenter and Producer.
His vitality and competence as a Journalist led him to produce the half-hour news
package “Today’s News” on JNN. He also reports on a wide range
of issues including copyright infringement, political events and other
business news including Bill Clarke versus Scotiabank.
She has won several medals in national and
international swim meets during her seven
year career in the sport, which started at
age 8½ at a Synchro Beginners Summer
Camp.
As her sporting career excelled, she participated in a number of
meets and won a number of medals. These included a gold medal
in the 200m freestyle at the Mayberry high schools’ meet in 2009
and her participation in the JAS Invitational for the under twelve
category where she received gold, silver and bronze medals in 2005
and received a special award for the Most Improved synchro swimmer.
KALISE SPENCER
A graduate of the Mannings High School
in Westmoreland, Kaliese in 2006 set a
national junior record when she won the 400
metre hurdles at the World Junior Championships in Beijing, China. Her triumph was
the first of its kind at the Junior level for a
Jamaican athlete.
2009 saw Kaliese making strides at a very
youthful age to achieve a number of milestones. At the IAAF Grand Prix in Zagreb,
Croatia she became the third fastest Jamaican hurdler and the world’s
fourth fastest hurdler. She contributed to the spectacular Jamaican
medal haul at the World Championships in Berlin by being a member of the silver medal 4 x 400 metre team.
Rolando is the holder of a first class Bachelor of Arts degree in Media
and Communications from the University of the West Indies and he is
currently pursuing his Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies at the same institution.
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18
TRUDI ANNE HOWE
ANDREW WILDES
Trudy Ann Howe personifies the term
“Leadership with a purpose”. At all three
education institutions she has attended,
she held numerous positions of leadership and received awards and honours for her service. At her alma-mater,
St. Andrew High School, in addition to the
several positions held, she was selected
Deputy Head-girl in 2003.
The résumé of Andrew Wildes at age 23,
far outweighs his years of experience.
S P O R T S
She achieved over twenty-six honours and
awards at the University of the West Indies
and the University College of the Caribbean, including Distinguished
President and the Governor-General/Kiwanis Club of Kingston Youth
in Excellence Award for Leadership. Her established reputation as
a young leader has led to opportunities to speak on a number of
platforms including TV and radio, and has also enabled her to sit on
various boards and panels.
At age 19, he received the prestigious
Gleaner’s Silver Pen Award. He was also
offered a job by the Editor-In-Chief of the
Gleaner Company. To date, he has published over one hundred articles in The
Gleaner and Star newspapers, many of
which were lead stories.
He has also covered several major historic
events. This law student was the only indigenous Jamaican Journalist
to personally cover the inauguration of the first black President of the
United States, Barack Obama, in January 2009.
Through his work, he received support for vulnerable persons living
in Jamaica. By publishing their stories he has had a tremendous
impact on the lives of many young Jamaicans.
can man in the world.
This Manchester High School graduate has
had an outstanding career to date even
amidst periods of inactivity due to injuries.
In 2008, Nesta Carter provided a brilliant
start leg for the world record breaking
quartet at the Beijing Olympics in the 4 x
100 metres event for men.
SIAELDA GREEN
In September 2009, at a meet in Shanghai,
he clocked his personal best time of 9.91
seconds to become the third fastest Jamai-
During her tenure at both institutions, she
held several key leadership positions and
received several awards for her contribution to university life.
A past student of the University of the West
Indies and the Northern Caribbean University, her track record of accomplishments
and experience in the field of leadership
far outweighs her years at age 24.
In a one-year period, she received over eight awards from the
University of the West Indies in the area of leadership and service.
The University of the West Indies conferred on Ms. Green the Premier Award for Outstanding Leadership for the 2008–2009 acdemic
year.
Ms. Siaelda Green is presently the host of the “Red Ribbon Café”,
a radio programme done annually on World AIDS Day to educate
persons about HIV/AIDS.
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14
L E A D E R S H I P
NESTA CARTER
PRIME MINISTER’S YOUTH AWARDS 2009
P R O G R A M M E
“A FAMILY REUNION”
THE GATHERING
Kingston Drummers
Stella Maris Dance Ensemble
Nomaddz
The Hosts: Sanique Vacianna & Garth Williams
THE PROCESSION OF NOMINEES
THE FAMILY PRAYER
The National Anthem
The Williams’ Family
(Jon, Imani and Jovani)
THE FAMILY FELLOWSHIP
FAMILY TESTIMONY II
LNS
Shady Squad
PROFILES OF THE NOMINEES III
THINGS FALL APART
Nomaddz
FAMILY TESTIMONY III
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
Salutation
Hon. Olivia Grange, MP
Minister of Youth, Sports
& Culture
Levy’s Heritage
Goddy Goddy and Ryan Mark
PROFILES OF THE NOMINEES I
IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR
William Tell
by Gioachino Rossini The Williams’ Family
(Jon, Imani and Jovani)
Con te partiro
Mr. Rory Baugh
The Prime Minister’s
Youth Awards
Introduction of
the Prime Minister
Main Address
CELEBRATION
FAMILY TESTIMONY I
Alaine and Myrna Laughton
A Duet for Sisters
The Tivoli Dance Troupe
PROFILES OF THE NOMINEES II
Cliff Mix
St George’s College Choir
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Mr. Kamal Powell
Youth Ambassador & Chairman of
Youth Parliamentary Watch Comm.
The Hon. Bruce Golding, MP
Prime Minister
The Awards
by F. Sartori and L. Quarantotto
Mrs. Roberta Ellis
Director of Youth Policy
& Programme Development
NCYD
Junior Reid, Andrew and
Wadah Blood
I Octane
Gee Wiz
Freddie McGregor and Chino
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